New taxes to finance Burundi war

Reports from Burundi say the government has imposed new taxes on luxury items such as tobacco and alcohol to help finance its war against Hutu rebels.

Official radio said that taxes of about 20% would be slapped on alcoholic drinks and 11% on tobacco, and this would be paid into a fund jointly managed by the defence and finance ministries.

The main Hutu rebel groups, which are boycotting the internationally-mediated peace negotiations, have stepped up their attacks this year to demonstrate that no peace can be made without their agreement.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service